Ballet Memphis dances Nutcracker with Spokane Symphony

Dec 7, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow at 464-7071

The Nutcracker, a magical holiday tradition, will be performed by the Spokane Symphony, Ballet Memphis and 70 local young dancers at the INB Performing Arts Center are Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m.  The nationally recognized Ballet Memphis was selected to present this year’s ballet when scheduling problems made it impossible to use the Alberta Ballet

“We looked at many ballet companies around the U.S. that met the high level of artistic excellence we require. We were happy to find that Ballet Memphis, a dynamic professional company named a national treasure of the cultural world by the Ford Foundation, had a schedule that worked with ours,” said Spokane Symphony Artistic Director Don Nelson.

The Spokane premiere of this production of Nutcracker is sure to be a crowd pleaser with its splendid costumes and scenery, and colorful characters. One of the unique aspects of the ballet is that each act was choreographed by a different choreographer.

The opening scene, featuring gift-giving and celebration at the Christmas Eve party at the Stahlbaum house, is choreographed by Janet Parke, who has served more than 20 years as principal of the BalletMemphisSchool and director of the Junior Company, and has choreographed more than 75 ballets for the Ballet Memphis. Parke recently came to Spokane to take a look at the Spokane area dancers, and was impressed by the quality of dancers and ballet instruction we have here.

The remainder of Act I was choreographed by Karl Condon, Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Memphis, His beautiful sense of time and surroundings has resulted in a dramatic battle scene and a most magnificent rendition of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s dance among the snowflakes.

The final Act of the ballet is choreographed by Joseph Jefferies, former Ballet Memphis dancer and frequent choreographer for Ballet Memphis. Through his deft handling of the dancers, all the colorful inhabitants of the Kingdom of Sweets – the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles, the Dew Drop Fairy and her Flowers and dancers from Spain, Arabia, China and Russia – fill the stage with magic.

Ticket prices range from $21 to $39 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under.  Tickets can be purchased from the Spokane Symphony by visiting the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox Box Office, by calling 509-624-1200, or at our website at www.spokanesymphony.org. Purchases may also be made through TicketsWest outlets. Tickets will also be available at the INB Performing Arts Box Office after 12 noon on the performance days.

CALENDAR LISTING:

The Nutcracker; Ballet Memphis and the Spokane Symphony; Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. at the INB Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the concert are $21 to $39; $14 tickets are available for children 12 and under. Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; tickets are also available at www.spokanesymphony.org and through all TicketsWest outlets. Tickets will also be available at the INB Performing Arts Box Office after 12 noon on the performance days.